Using American Sign Language to enhance communication and literacy in infants, toddlers, preschoolers and older children

Changing Communication ... One Sign at a Time

Why are songs like "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "The Wheels on the Bus" so popular among young children? For one thing, the words are accompanied by dynamic hand and body motion. This motion not only makes the experience more memorable, but it actually gives young children the ability to participate before they can sing the words to the song. Taking the hand motions out of the songs and applying them to real life situations empowers children to use multiple forms of communication. Signing in Childcare enables children of all ages and languages to find a common communication tool that works! Before children can “Use your words”, we can encourage them to “Use your signs” to bring about resolution in a conflict situation. Parents are looking for facilities that will maintain the signing communication that they have started with their children.

Over the years, teachers have shared with us their joys of signing with the children in their care. Here are some of the most frequent comments we hear:

  • Signing empowers children because they can communicate successfully with those around them. This sense of empowerment significantly contributes to babies' happiness.
  • Children spend less time crying and teachers spend less time playing 'the guessing game'--allowing more time for positive interaction.
  • Signing enhances early language skills because children can engage in two-way conversations with their teachers and their peers at an earlier age.
  • Children learn to use signs to solve problems. STOP and SHARE are commonly used signs that help children learn to get along with one another.
  • In signing classrooms, teachers report that there are fewer instances of biting and screaming because children are less frustrated.
  • Children can control the topic of conversation and express their unique interests at an earlier age. This allows teachers to design learning activities that will enhance her children's specific interests,
  • Signing adds fun to daily routines and circle time and music activities.
  • Signing facilitates home-school communication and helps parents become more meaningfully involved in the preschool curriculum.
  • Signing is appropriate for all preschool age groups (infants, toddlers, preschool, pre-K) and it facilitates visual/kinesthetic learning.
  • The use of signs in the classroom creates opportunities for children with special needs to interact meaningfully with other children their age.
  • Preschool-aged children use signs to help them understand and identify their emotions. Research shows that integrating the use of sign language into a preschool curriculum enhances literacy skills needed for school success: reading, vocabulary, spelling. A summary of this research can be found in Marilyn Daniels' book Dancing with Words.

-------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2003 Sign2Me®/Northlight Communications. All Rights Reserved www.sign2me.com Reproduced with permission from Sign2Me®

Home

Our Program

Schedule

Links & Resources

Contact Us

Products

About Us

Our Friends

Feedback

FAQ

Photos

In The News

 

Love 2 Sign LLC

Love2Sign@ultrasw.com

(520) 682-8918

(520) 682-9772 FAX

© Love 2 Sign LLC 2003 - 2006